Longhorns learn from mistakes, top Horned Frogs after delay

FORT WORTH – In the mountains seven weeks ago, Texas handled everything wrong. First the Longhorns miscalculated how long they’d have to wait out a thunderstorm, and then they completely botched the calm that followed it.

In the latest, most convincing example of how far they’ve come since their rain-soaked humiliation at BYU, the Longhorns waited out a three-hour lightning delay Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium and then finished off a dominating 30-7 victory over TCU early Sunday morning.

The victory was the fourth in a row for UT, which remains undefeated in conference play. Unlike in their blowout loss at BYU on Sept. 7, when they looked flustered, uninspired and inept following a two-hour weather delay, the Longhorns made sure idle time didn’t lead to lackadaisical play.

“There were no false alarms,” said UT quarterback Case McCoy, who passed for 228 yards and a touchdown. “When it was time to go, we were ready.”

The same was true of the Longhorns (5-2, 4-0 in the Big 12) even before the rain arrived. Thanks to a turnover created by a Quandre Diggs and a perfect throw from McCoy to Marcus Johnson for a 65-yard touchdown, UT built a 17-7 lead by the middle of the second quarter.

With 6:08 remaining before halftime and lightning from an imposing line of storms closing in on the stadium, officials pulled the players off the field and cleared the grandstands. The delay began at 7:50 p.m. Play didn’t resume until 10:56 p.m.

“It could’ve been a tough situation,” McCoy said. “But we learned so much from the BYU game.”

After the delay, UT’s defense finished the second quarter by forcing two TCU punts, and McCoy threw a 44-yard pass to Mike Davis to set up one of three Anthony Fera field goals.

Halftime was shortened to three minutes because of the delay, and the Longhorns didn’t let up. They increased their lead with a Malcolm Brown touchdown run – his second of the night – and more importantly refused to let TCU (3-5, 1-4) establish any momentum on offense.

Horned Frogs quarterback Casey Pachall played his first game since breaking his left arm Sept. 7, and he completed only 13 of 34 passes for 139 yards while being harassed by UT’s imposing front line all night.

Jackson Jeffcoat and tackle Chris Whaley combined for two sacks and 4 ½ tackles for loss.

TCU’s seven points were their fewest in a game since a 20-7 loss to Utah on Oct. 5, 2006.

“We were all around the ball,” Jeffcoat said. “That’s what (defensive coordinator Greg) Robinson wants us to do.”

On offense, the Longhorns got 149 combined rushing yards from Brown and Johnathan Gray. The effectiveness of the ground game enabled McCoy to take shots down the field, and he completed four passes of at least 30 yards.

“Six months ago, you said I couldn’t throw it,” McCoy said.

McCoy was relieved by freshman Tyrone Swoopes for UT’s last possession, a move that drew attention because it ensured Swoopes won’t be eligible for a redshirt this season.

After the game, UT coach Mack Brown said he and his staff made the decision to play Swoopes because David Ash – who’s been sidelined for more than a month with head injury symptoms – still hasn’t been cleared to return and McCoy needs a backup.

Ash already has been ruled out for next week’s game against Kansas. Swoopes didn’t attempt a pass during his one drive, but he ran three times for eight yards.

“We don’t know what David’s situation is down the road, so we want to get Tyrone ready to go,” Brown said. “What we needed him to see is that he needs to be ready.”